We were supposed to take a big trip out west to Colorado this past summer. It was actually the second time we planned this trip, but we had truck problems that ended with our truck being in the shop for 6 weeks. It was really disappointing to have to cancel that family trip and send Daniel on his own for work. It might have been the first summer we spent at home, but we still had a good summer. We threw ourselves into all the busyness one might. I think the kids loved it. Jack went to two different summer camps. Both boys were able to complete the entire summer season with swim team for the first time. And we just had a good time. I was probably the only one trying not to wallow in self pity.
In the spring we took a road trip to the Florida Keys with our camper. We couldn't get reservations at the campsite I was hoping for, but ended up finding out that we could camp at the Boy Scouts property and it was a really fantastic experience. We all hope to go back.
At the end of summer, we did another short family road trip to West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and finishing in Tennessee. We took the boys horseback riding and white water rafting for the first time, and also had our first visit to Dollywood where we introduced the boys to the joy of roller coasters.
We didn't get to camp with our camping family as much as we have in years past, but we savored the time we did have with these friends who have sat around so many campfires with us. We did quite a bit with Scouts – Jack, in particular, is loving his time in this organization, and we are blessed as a family by the other families we have gotten to know.
Homeschooling is still taking up the bulk of our time. Any time you come alongside others, there will always be give and take as you navigate your own needs and the needs of community. We are still figuring some of that out. I am learning to be content in all things, but also considering the future needs.
Which leads me to my word for the year...
But first a backstory: Last year, I made a spontaneous goal (as I tend to do) to hike 365 miles. I was walking quite a bit, and while in 2022 I had hiked 177 miles, I thought I could do 365. I also felt ok with making the effort and being content with however it ended.
Fast forward to December 27, 2022. I realized I had only walked 319 miles for the year and I had an afternoon to myself, so I thought I would give it one final hurrah and call it a year. I solo hiked 9 miles (with 5 days left in the year) and made a post to social media that I had accomplished 328 miles, patted myself on the back, and made peace with not finishing the goal because with 37 miles and four days left, I thought there was no way I would be able to finish.
I mean, I had people coming to stay with me for New Years. I needed to clean my house. I had a book goal I might be able to finish, and who could actual walk 9 miles a day for five days straight?
One of my best friend's from high school thought I could. She suggested that instead of walking 9 miles a day (in a single lump) that I walk 3 miles 3 times a day.
Hmmmm...
That actually might work, I thought. And so, as I started this crazy endeavor to fit in 9 miles a day until the end of the year, my brain started thinking about the word RE-FRAME. While 37 additional miles seemed inconceivable (really it was 46 miles in five days), 3 miles a day was something I could possibly do. And so I started the process. Wake up, walk 2-3 miles. Walk at lunch. Walk late at night. Friends started asking me about it and checking in with me. People asked me about it at church.
I still did all the cooking and cleaning, and activities, and New Year's Eve things, but I walked in between it all.
It helps that I have trails within walking distance of my house, but the effort was huge. At times it felt unbearable. Just me and the woods. Me and a podcast. Me and God. I started to hate it, but I remembered that I constantly tell my kids that they can do hard things. And I can model that. I could do it for myself.
I live on a mountain, so all of this walking included a significant amount of hills. My knees hurt. My hamstrings hurt. My glutes hurt. At night I would ice everything and could barely sleep because of the exhaustion. But I kept plugging away.
I took Epson salt baths, and drank adrenal cocktails. I only took Vitamin-I a couple of times. And the pain subsided.
On the final night, our family went out for hibachi. I teased everyone that they should walk off their meal with me and come finish my goal alongside me. Daniel said he would come. My brother-in-law said he would come. My sister started getting dressed to go back out. My nephew said he would go. I told the boys they needed to go if all the adults were leaving. My niece didn't want to be left home alone, so she came as well.
These last three miles were not easy. My family might have given me a hard time about the hills, but they pressed on with me. We reached the Brow of our mountain and saw the view of Chattanooga below. We watched a family light and release Chinese lanterns into the night sky. And my heart was so full.
I had reframed. I had done what I thought was impossible. My friend had encouraged me when I didn't think I could do it. My family had walked to the end with me.
My love language is quality time, and the thing that had been so hard for five days became the very best moments of my year as I walked with my family. They gave up their comfort and joined me in the dark and cold in the woods, on the very last night of the year. Their company was so much better than any podcast or book I could listen to.
So, as I look to 2024, I know that I can reframe the impossible things. I don't have to give up or quit. I can pivot, adapt, take it in smaller chunks. The things that are hard can be done. Especially with friends and family cheering and coming alongside me in the process!
"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5